KNOXVILLE, Iowa – Clauson-Marshall Racing will debut a winged sprint car program during the upcoming NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway.
Defending USAC National Sprint Car Series champion and team mainstay Tyler Courtney will drive for the organization as it tackles The Granddaddy of Them All for the first time.
Courtney will pilot the No. 71bc entry, with primary sponsorship from the Driven2SaveLives BC39 powered by NOS Energy Drink, Priority Aviation and Indy Race Parts.
“We are excited to take this next step with our company, to not only give Tyler an opportunity to race at the Knoxville Nationals, but also to bring our partners to sprint car racing’s biggest event,” said CMR owner Tim Clauson. “Indy Race Parts has been a partner with CMR since our inception and getting to partner with them for this event is a great opportunity. We are also excited to get to promote the Driven2SaveLives BC39 powered by NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Race at an event of this magnitude.
“The event is pretty special to us for obvious reasons, and to get to share that with all the fans at Knoxville is going to be pretty special.”
The car will be prepared in partnership with Bernie Stuebgen from Indy Race Parts, who will also field Gio Scelzi and Parker Price-Miller at this year’s 410 Nationals.
Stuebgen has a past relationship with Indianapolis native Courtney, who worked inside the Indy Race Parts shop during his younger years before going on the road full-time.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming 410 Nationals and getting to team up with CMR and their driver, Tyler Courtney,” noted Stuebgen. “Tyler was one of our first employees, so to get to do this with him and honor our friend Bryan Clauson is going to be great fun. It’s also special to do this with, Tim who I admire for everything he does for the industry.
“Tim actually bought Bryan’s first sprint car from me, so after all these years it’s great to see the legacy carry on,” he added. “Getting to represent Driven2SaveLives, IMS and the NOS Energy Drink BC39 just adds to the excitement.”
Courtney is the current USAC National Midget Series point leader, but hasn’t competed at Knoxville in a winged car in several years.
He did, however, recently race at Knoxville in non-winged action with USAC during the Corn Belt Nationals in early July, finishing on the podium in third behind Brady Bacon and C.J. Leary.
“I’m really excited to get back to Knoxville in a winged sprint car,” said Courtney. “It’s been a few years but I’m up for the challenge. It’s going to be fun for us to team up with Bernie and Indy Race Parts. I worked for him and Betsy for three years, and they’re some of the best people in racing.
“Getting to bring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Driven2SaveLives BC39 powered by NOS Energy Drink along with us for the journey will be cool to cross-pollinate all forms of racing at one of the biggest events of the year.”